Watch- Saim Ayub Takes The Best Catch Of 2024 As Pakistan Endure Yet Another Series Loss

Pakistan’s young opening batter Saim Ayub produced an emphatic effort in the field when he ran 10-20 meters from the boundary ropes of deep square leg towards mid wicket to complete a sensational catch of dangerous Kiwi batter Glenn Phillips who became Shaheen Afridi’s 1st scalp of the match.

Saim Ayub took the catch in the 4th delivery of the final over when New Zealand had already done a lot of damage to Pakistan by registering 221 runs on the board. The hosts eventually gave a mammoth target of 225 runs in the 3rd T20 of a 5-match series here at the University Oval stadium in Dunedin.

SAIM AYUB WITH THE CATCH OF 2024 SO FAR ❤️❤️❤️ #NZvsPAK pic.twitter.com/7CV5rWIPvZ

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 17, 2024

Pakistan skipper Shaheen Afridi for the 3rd consecutive time in the series, elected to field first after winning the toss and once again it proved to be a very expensive decision in exceptional batting conditions. In the first 2 matches, the Blackcaps had scored totals of 190+ after batting first and doubled their lead in the series by registering 46-run and 21-run victories in Auckland and Hamilton. 

Expectations were that the visitors might have learned from their mistake during toss time but Shaheen Afridi’s brain fade decisions mean that Pakistan are now winless in their last 7 international matches. Today New Zealand had posted 224 runs on the board and were far ahead of Pakistan in the game after the 1st innings already.

Opening batsman Finn Allen single-handedly tormented Pakistan’s bowling lineup as the Kiwi smacked 16 sixes in his 62-ball 137-run knock in which he had a strike rate of 220. Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips scored 31 and 19 runs at a decent pace and both of them departed as a result of Saim Ayub’s catching on the field.

While Seifert received his marching orders from Mohammad Wasim Jr, Phillips was prevented from doing further damage thanks to Shaheen’s length ball and the terrific effort from Saim Ayub.

After Taking Blinder In 1st Innings, Saim Ayub Flops With The Bat Again

When chasing 220+ totals, it becomes very important for opening batters to get the team off to flying starts by also ensuring they don’t lose their wickets in a hurry. But unfortunately, that has exactly been the case for Pakistan and it remains the same today as well.

Saim Ayub who has been opening alongside Mohammad Rizwan, flopped once again as the former departed for just 10 off 13. Rizwan too did not help Pakistan’s cause, getting out for 24 off 20. But the main problem has been the form of Saim Ayub, a player who is a product of the Pakistan Super League.

The left-hander came under the spotlight for his scary strike rate in the PSL but he hasn’t been able to score runs outside of Pakistan’s flat batting pitches. Although conditions in New Zealand are favorable for batting Saim Ayub due to pressure or inability against quality bowling line-ups has failed to live up to the expectations.

Saim Ayub has scored just 48 runs in his last 6 T20 outings, all of them coming against the same opponents in Lahore, Auckland, Hamilton, and Dunedin. As a result of a poor start, Pakistan lost the 3rd T2oI by 45 runs, losing their 7th consecutive match and also a 2nd consecutive series after the 3-0 whitewash against Australia in the Test series.